Anecdata, in my area housing next door to work is no more expensive in absolute terms, but you get somewhat less for your money, so people who desire 4,500sqft,

Anecdata, in my area housing next door to work is no more expensive in absolute terms, but you get somewhat less for your money, so people who desire 4,500sqft, a three car garage, and fancy interiors buy outside of town in exchange for a forty minute commute. (The growing problem is that quite a lot of people have had this idea, and now the county roads are overburdened)